Oraynu Children's School
ORAYNU CHILDREN'S SCHOOL was created by a group of dedicated parents in 1968 to provide their children with a relevant secular Jewish education. Our school is proud of its thoughtful and well-developed curriculum. It is affiliated as a supplementary school with Mercaz - the Centre of Enhancement of Jewish Education (formerly the Toronto Board of Jewish Education).
LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT JEWISH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD?
One that focuses on our rich Jewish heritage from a secular, humanistic perspective?
Perhaps your child belongs at Oraynu!
SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, April 27th at 10:15 a.m.
St. Andrew's Jr. High School, 131 Fenn Avenue (Bayview/York Mills/401)
See you there!
n OVERVIEW
JK to Grade 7, Sunday morningsBayview/401 location (St. Andrew's Jr. High School, 131 Fenn Avenue) Click here for map.
Two-Year B'nai Mitzvah Program, including community service and group ceremony
Hebrew Language Classes
Family Holiday Celebrations
We welcome our youth into the Jewish community with a meaningful B'nai Mitzvah ceremony or individual ceremonies. Our children learn the lessons of human dignity, self-reliance and tikun olam from the experience of the Jewish people.
The purpose of Jewish education is to develop in children a positive identity as Jews, help them become strong individuals and responsible citizens of the world.
At Oraynu, we want our children to:
Learn about Jewish history and culture
Be introduced to Hebrew reading, writing and conversation.
Understand the humanistic values in Judaism, especially the individual's responsibility to oneself and to society; and how these values were part of Jewish life in the past, and how they can guide us today. We use Bible stories and ancient/modern heroes, stressing the characters as role models, to emphasize values and behaviour. Click here for a SAMPLE CLASS PROJECT.
Experience Jewish culture and community through activities such as tzedakah or community service projects, music, and celebrations of holiday and life cycle events
Enjoy their time at Oraynu Children's School
n CURRICULUM
Only Secular Humanistic practices and interpretations are taught and practiced, except in Grades 3 and 4, when some comparative Judaism is also taught. All grades learn about the major holidays and have class tzedakah projects.
JK/SK
JEWISH FAMILY
The family is the social structure and context within which students will learn and develop Secular Humanistic Jewish values
Become familiar with symbols and practices for celebrating festivals
Introduce Bible stories and heroes
On-going tzedakah project: Chesed (Kindness) Home Project
A simulated trip to Israel
Grade 1 + 2
MYSELF AND MY FAMILY
Bible stories and heroes
The desert and the importance of trees in Israel in Biblical times and today
The Human Life Cycle: babies, baby-naming and growth
Shabbat and the need for rest
FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION
Bible stories that highlight friendship and cooperation
Living and growing food cooperatively in Israel in Biblical times and today
The Human Life Cycle: aging and grandparents
Grades 3 + 4
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - EVERYONE CAN BE A HERO
Comparative Judaism: the Fall festivals and Shabbat
Sephardic Jewry: Maimonides, the Inquisition, Donna Gracia Nasi
Shtetl life
COMMUNITY AND CONTINUITY
Perpetuating values through story-telling
Ancient Hebrew kings and prophets
Talmudic sages and their stories
Modern Israel's pioneers and the Kibbutz
Grades 5 + 6
CELEBRATION & PEOPLEHOOD
Review of Jewish calendar and holidays
Secular Humanistic Jewish life cycle observances and celebrations
Immigration and North American Jewry
The Holocaust
The land and the birth of modern Israel
Israel today
UNIVERSAL FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND DIGNITY
The Holocaust: background and resistance
North American Jewry and Immigration
The birth of Israel and Israel today
Grade 7
SECULAR HUMANISTIC JEWISH BELIEFS AND THEIR ROOTS
Basic ideas of Secular Humanistic Judaism
Humanistic values in Jewish sources
Modern origins of Secular Humanistic Judaism
Secular Yiddish culture
Jewish socialism and activism
New religious ideas - Zionism, the Secular Humanistic Jewish movement
Anti-Semitism and antiracism
The Human Life Cycle: growth, puberty, Bat/Bar/B'nai Mitzvah
Tzedakah activities (extensive after-hours program)
HEBREW
Our goal is that children learn to pronounce and recognize in print the Hebrew words we use on an everyday basis to discuss Jewish values, life cycle events, holidays and Israel. Hebrew songs are also taught. Children who wish to do so will learn to read and print Hebrew.
MUSIC
Music is part of the schedule for children in the lower grades. They learn secular Jewish songs in Hebrew and in English. Songs are appropriately tied to the seasons and the festivals.
n GRADUATION/B'NAI MITZVAH and BAR/BAT MITZVAH
Our B'nai Mitzvah (group) program is a two-year program, requiring a child's participation in both Grades 6 and 7. The only exception is if your child has participated in Jewish education at another day school or attended a supplementary school for grade 6.
Students, their families, friends and the Oraynu community celebrate through a meaningful ceremony, their:
- transition to adolescence
- affirmation of Secular Humanistic Jewish ideals
- induction as members of the Jewish community
In preparing for this event, parents become involved in their children's Jewish education, and the students grow in confidence, understanding and responsibility. Through this dynamic process and experience, their Jewishness becomes interesting, relevant and important.
n THE ORAYNU CHILDREN'S SCHOOL MARKS THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS:
High Holidays - Special Children's Program on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Day for ages 6-10; older children may attend adult services for RH, Kol Nidrei (Erev Yom Kippur) and Yom Kippur Day.
Sukkot - Family Festival at Banbury Community Centre
Chanukah - Family Celebration with presentations by the school; entertainment
Purim - Family Fun Carnival
Pesach - Annual Community Seder, led by the School
Yom Hashoah - school assembly marks Holocaust Remembrance Day
Yom Ha'atzmaut - school assembly for Israel Independence Day
Oneg Shabbats - Classes take turns in sponsoring Oneg Shabbats during the year.
n SCHOOL DATES/UPCOMING EVENTS 2007-08
Class times are 10:00am - 12:30pm
Children registered in the optional ENRICHMENT HEBREW program will start school at 9:25 am,
as of mid-October, until the end of April
SUNDAY
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SCHOOL ACTIVITY
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Sept. 9, 2007
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First day of school; Parent Welcome Program; Children join us for sing-along & lunch
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Sept. 16
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Regular classes
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Sept. 23
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Regular classes; Parent - teacher meetings
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Sept. 30
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Sukkot Festival
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Oct. 7
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NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving weekend
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Oct.14, 21, 28
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Regular classes
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Nov. 4
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Regular classes
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Nov. 11
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Regular classes
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Nov. 18
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PD Day; NO CLASSES
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Nov. 25, Dec. 2
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Regular classes
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Dec. 9
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Chanukah Festival - offsite (Silver Blade Room, Carnegie Centre)
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Dec. 16
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Regular Classes
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Dec. 23, 30
and Jan. 6
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NO SCHOOL; Winter Holidays
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Jan. 13, 2008
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BACK TO SCHOOL
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Jan. 20
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Regular classes
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Jan. 27
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Tu B'Shevat Assembly
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Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24
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Regular classes
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Mar. 2
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Purim Festival
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Mar. 9, 16
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NO SCHOOL; March Break
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Mar. 23
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NO SCHOOL; Easter weekend
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Mar. 30
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Regular classes
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Apr. 6
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Regular classes
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Apr. 13
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NO SCHOOL on Sunday morning; FAMILY PASSOVER SEDER in the late afternoon
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Apr. 20
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NO SCHOOL; Passover
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Apr. 27
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SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Yom Hashoah observance for upper grades
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May 4
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Regular classes
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May 13
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LAST DAY OF CLASSES
Yom Ha'atzmaut assembly
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n AFFILIATIONS
Oraynu Children's School is grateful to the United Jewish Appeal and the Mercaz - The Centre for Enhancement of Jewish Education for annual grants to our Family Education Program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US:
or call 416-385-3910